DEA and Partners Hold Prescription Drug Take Back Day Saturday

DEA and Partners Hold Prescription Drug Take Back Day Saturday

Oct. 20 2016

Thousands of communities participate in this weekend’s event

OCT 17 – (Washington, DC) – DEA set to repeat on of its most popular community programs this weekend, National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. On Saturday October 22 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. the public can dispose of their unused, unwanted prescription medications at one of 4,700 collection sites nationwide, operated by 3,800 local law enforcement agencies and other community partners. The service is free of charge, no questions asked.

As referenced in previous articles, America is currently experiencing an epidemic of addiction, overdose and death attributed to the abuse of prescription drugs and particularly opioid painkillers.

Approximately 6.4 million Americans ranging from age 12 and over (representing 2.4 percent of the population) abuse prescription drugs. The 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health released last month that their research reveals that more individuals abuse cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, and methamphetamine combined. Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of injury-related death in the United States, surpassing deaths from motor vehicle crashes or firearms. The majority of prescription drug abusers report that they obtain their drugs from friends and family, including from the home medicine cabinet.

Last April, during its 11th Take Back Day even, the DEA and over 4,200 of its national, tribal, and community law enforcement partners collected 893,498 pounds (about 447 tons) of unwanted prescription drugs at almost 5,400 collection sites. Since the program’s inception, six years ago, about 6.4 million pounds (about 3,200 tons) of drugs have been collected. That translates to more than a quarter pound of pills for each of the 25 million children age 12 to 17 in America.

Individuals can now find a nearby collection site by visiting www.dea.gov, clicking on the “Got Drugs?” icon, and following the links to a database where they enter their zip code. Or they can call 800-882-9529. Only pills and other solids, like patches, can be brought to the collection sites—liquids and needles or other sharps will not be accepted.